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ON THE OBSTACLES TO THE UTILIZATION OF NEW 
ZEALAND FLAX (PHORMIUM TEN AT). 
By W. Lauder Lindsay, M.D., F.B..S. Edin., F.L.S. 
(Read before the British Association, 1867.) 
The following opinions or suggestions are based on — 
(1) The result of observations made during a tour in New Zealand 
in 1861-2; (2) a study of the wonderfully voluminous literature of 
New Zealand flax ; and (3) a previous study * [ten years ago] of the 
general subject of foreign fibres as substitutes for those currently used 
in this country in the textile arts. 
For present purposes I assume, — 
(1) That the value of New Zealand flax, as a fibre suitable for the 
manufacture of cordage, textile fabrics, and paper, has been established ; 
(2) that in Europe there is practically an unlimited demand for this 
class of fibre ; and (3) that in order to such fibre as New Zealand 
flax becoming marketable, — ■ 
a. The supply must be both regular and large ; 
b. The quality must equal that of the fibres which at present com- 
mand the market ; while 
c. The cost of production must be such as to leave a considerable 
margin of profit on its market price ; 
d. Hence, any candidate for preference in the fibre market must sub- 
mit to be rigorously tested by the following standards : 
A. Amount and regularity of supply. 
B. Quality of the produce. 
C. Its market price. 
The utilization of New Zealand flax has been stimulated in every 
conceivable way; -by the self-interests of colonists and colonial go- 
vernments j by'the attraction of substantial Government rewards ; by 
the high price offered in the British market for good samples of 
dressed fibre ; by Industrial Exhibitions throughout the world, in- 
cluding New Zealand itself. So long ago as 1856, the general Go- 
vernment of New Zealand offered premiums to the extent of £4000 
(the first, or highest, being £2000, the second, £1000, and five others 
of £200 each), " to the person who shall, by some process of his own 
* Some results whereof will be found in articles on « Substitutes for Paper 
Material," in the 'Scottish Review ' for October, 1858, and January, 18oJ. 
